INSIDE TODAY n Coupons from area circulars inside WEATHER TUESDAY s Whiteville s Baseball Tomorrow man plans Vol. 113 No. 57 n Est. 1899 camp set for Brilliant Bladento run for JournalGoldsboro this sunshine Distric 13 seat month High 47 Page 3A January 3, 2012 Page 8A Low 28 www.bladenjournal.com God bless America n 50 cents n All rights reserved ELIZABETHTOWN County buys Bay Tree water system The Tory Inn Board votes 8-1 in was located where Joseph favor of purchase D Salon and Elizabethtown Erin Smith Florist now sit Staff writer in downtown Elizabethtown. ELIZABETHTOWN — The Bladen County Board of Commissioners voted 8 to 1 in favor of the purchase of the Bay Tree Lakes water system on Friday. Commissioner David Erin Smith | Gooden cast the lone no vote. Bladen Journal The board had met Thursday and Friday in closed sessions to consult with county attorney Leslie Johnson regarding the purchase of the Bay Tree Lakes water system to finalize all the legal aspects of the deal. The first meeting began at about 10 a.m. Thursday and at about 11 a.m. the commis- sioners recessed until 9 a.m. Friday morning, according to County Manager Greg Martin. The board took its vote in an THE MYSTERY OF TORY INN open session Friday. Martin said the Local Government Council was wait- Few can recall ing on the attorneys to work out the legal issues of the transac- tion and for the commissioners the downtown to put their final approval on the deal. The LGC is expected to approve the financing for the purchase at their next meeting. establishment “We think it is a win-win for W. Curt Vincent Inn Building on the everybody,” said Martin of the Editor north side of West Broad purchase. Street in the downtown The Commissioners voted at ELIZABETHTOWN area for $57,887. Today, the Nov. 7 meeting to schedule — The mention of that structure houses a public hearing on the matter Tory Inn around down- Joseph D Salon and which was held Monday, Nov. town Elizabethtown ini- Elizabethtown Florist. 21. tially brought a variety At the time the town The board also voted in of furrowed brows and was discussing its pur- November to approve the fil- responses of “Never chase, the estimated ing of an application seeking heard of it,” even from value of the Tory Inn financing for the purchase. The those who have deep Building — according to projected cost to the county is roots in the area. Hilton Auction & Realty about $400,000 with an addi- But eventually, the fog — was $80,000. tional $220,000 for the con- surrounding the mystery Over the years, the struction of a new water line of Tory Inn began to building has been home along N.C. 41. clear. to Belk’s, a pharmacy and If the purchase is finalized, Nearly 28 years ago, a number of restaurants. the addition of the Bay Tree in March 1984, the Almost two years after Lakes water system will add Elizabethtown Town purchasing the building, about 165 new customers to Council closed on the the town began a remod- W. Curt Vincent | Bladen Journal the county’s water system and purchase of what then The Tory Inn, at one time, straddled the current walkway between West Broad Street is projected to generate about was known as the Tory See Inn | 2A and the back parking lot. $52,830 in annual revenue. Christmas trees can be taken to county sites or left at the curb Erin Smith other decorations … as well In the town of Bladenboro, to Jackson. Staff writer as the tree stand. Town Manager Delane Tim Frush, Public Works Brandon Smith with Jackson said the town, like director for the Town of Your Christmas guests Bladen County Solid Waste the county, also does not White Lake, asks that resi- have departed, the decora- said, “Citizens can dispose currently offer a recycling dents place their Christmas tions and lights have been of their Christmas trees at program for live Christmas trees for disposal curbside removed from the tree and any of our solid waste col- trees. like they would for leaf and put away for another year. lection centers. They can “People can place them limb debris. Now, you are left trying to be placed in the yard waste (Christmas trees) curbside “We don’t offer door to figure out what to do with bins.” just like they would their door Christmas tree pick that live tree. The county does not cur- leaf and limb debris,” said up,” Elizabethtown Town To prepare your tree for rently offer a “grinding of Jackson. Public Works Director Pat recycling or disposal you will the greens” recycling pro- The town will pick up the DeVane. “The town has not want to remove things like gram for live Christmas trees trees and place them in the ornaments, lights, tinsel and at any of its sites. municipal landfill, according See Trees | 2A Ring in the New Year with 10% OFF your next Service Appointment booked online. 2010 Chevy Malibu (excludes tire purchase and oil change) 2011 Ford Fiesta $23,577 Bill Carone $16,977 Chevrolet-GMC-Buick-Ford (Excludes diesel & synthetic) 2008 GMC Acadia $19.95 Oil Change 2010 Ford Expedition EL $25,977 5093 N US 117 • Wallace, NC • 910-285-7151 • billcaronecars.com $27,977 Page 2A n Bladen Journal n www.bladenjournal.com n January 3, 2012 BITUARIES ... O DEADLINE TO SUBMIT INFORMATION IS 11 A.M. ON MONDAY FOR TUESDAY’S EDITION; 11 A.M. ON THURSDAY FOR FRIDAY’S EDITION Richard in Garland. at 7 pm at Royal-Hall to the Holly Grove Bladenboro. Virginia McClure, Helen Furmidge He is survived by Funeral Home Chapel Presbyterian Church, c/o He is survived by his Butler and Lucille Byrd. WILLARD— Richard special friend Lori Ann with the Rev. Donald Pam Booth, 6040 Mosley parents, Douglas McCray The family will receive Earl Furmidge, 54, of Watson of home; one Keith Carter officiat- Ave. Clinton, NC 28328. and Linda Brisson Bryan friends on Saturday, Dec. 9282 NC Hwy. 11, for- daughter, Elizabeth ing. Burial will be at a Services are entrusted of Bladenboro; one 31, from 5 until 7 p.m. at merly of Clinton, died Richardson of Troy; two later date at Holly Grove with Royal-Hall Funeral brother, Steve Bryan of Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Wednesday, Dec. 28, sisters, Diane Prosper Presbyterian Church Home of Clinton. Bladenboro; and one Home and at other times 2011 at his residence. of Castle Hayne and Cemetery. sister, Pam Bryant of at the home of Gloria He was preceded Ellen Norris of Garland; She is survived by her Keith Bryan Bladenboro. and Freddie McSwain, in death by a brother, two brothers, Donald mother and father, Marie NORTH A service of Bladen- 2201 Second Avenue, Bobby Furmidge and Furmidge of Stedman and R.H. Phillips Jr. of CHARLESTON, S.C. — Gaskins Funeral Home of Elizabethtown. grandson, Devon and William Furmidge of Clinton; sister, Beth P. Keith McCray Bryan, 47, Elizabethtown. A graveside service Richardson. Clinton; and two grand- Kiger of Fayetteville; formerly of Bladenboro, will be held on Sunday, The family will receive children. brother, Roger Phillips passed away on Monday, Geneva L. Dailey Jan. 1, 2012, at 4 p.m. friends on Saturday, Dec. A service of Carter III of Clinton; a nephew Dec. 26, 2011. ELIZABETHTOWN — at Bethlehem Cemetery, 31, from 1 until 2 p.m. Funeral Home of and niece and a great- The family will receive Geneva Lynnette Dailey, White Oak, with the Rev. at Carter Funeral Home Garland. niece. friends on Friday, Dec. 89, passed away on Chris Carroll officiating. and other times at the She was preceded in 30, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. She is survived by home of Ellen Norris, Rose P. Box death by a brother, Roger Bladen-Gaskins Funeral She was born in two daughters, Vicky 162 N. Parkersburg Ave., CLINTON — Rose Timothy Phillips. Home in Elizabethtown. Bladen County on Taylor of Elizabethtown Garland. Marie Phillips Box, The family will receive Funeral services will February 12, 1922 to the and Gloria McSwain Funeral service will be 51, of 572 Rowan friends following the ser- be held on Saturday, late Graham and Lula of Elizabethtown; one held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Road, died in Sampson vice at the funeral home Dec. 31, at 2 p.m. at Bryant Hester. sister, Gray Chauncey Dec. 31, at Carter Regional Medical Center, and other times at the Bladen-Gaskins Funeral She was preceded in of Lake Waccamaw; and Funeral Home, with the Wednesday, Dec. 28, home of her parents, 227 Home with the Rev. death by her parents; three grandsons. Rev. Gary Avery officiat- 2011. Hamilton Drive, Clinton. Bruce Cannon officiat- her husband, Thomas A service of Bladen- ing. Burial will follow in Funeral services will In lieu of flowers ing. Burial will follow in Dailey; on brother, Edgar Gaskins Funeral Home of the Furmidge Cemetery be held Friday, Dec. 30, memorials may be made Pine Crest Cemetery in Hester and three sisters, Elizabethtown. Trio arrested in connection with wire theft W. Curt Vincent During the investi- sold to another subject and/or entering of a motor vehi- Editor gation, Elizabethtown outside of town.” cle and felony larceny. He was Police Chief Bobby Kinlaw said Officer sent to the Bladen County Jail ELIZABETHTOWN — The Kinlaw said his officers Bryan Smith contact- under a $5,000 secured bond. keen observance by a local elec- discovered that two men ed the Bladen County — Douglas Leroy Heath, 24, trician led to the arrest of three were seen putting the Sheriff’s Office and went of Garland.